New Jersey Muslims are mourning the death of Yasser Arafat

New Jersey Muslims are mourning the death of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Thursday.

Many Arab-owned stores and restaurants in the Paterson area closed Thursday to mourn the death of Arafat. Some felt like Arafat was part of the community and regarded him as their father. While critics regarded Arafat as a terrorist, Paterson locals regarded him as a hero.

A mosque in South Paterson will be holding a prayer service Thursday in honor of him. The 75 year old, will be flown to Egypt for his funeral on Friday. His burial will be in Ramallah in the West Bank.